Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor believes that a biopic on his life has the potential to resonate with audiences because it mirrors the transformation of an entire profession. Speaking at The Great Culinary Cook-Off hosted by Wonderchef and Freshpik, where home chefs competed with millet-based dishes judged by Kapoor, the culinary icon reflected on reports of a film being developed on his life.
Interest in Biopic
Kapoor stated, "A biopic on my life is something many people have shown interest in; it is not something I initiated. So there must be something in the story that appeals to people." He emphasized that the most compelling aspect is what he calls the "revolution" of the chef's profession in India.
Revolution of the Chef Profession
"If I had to choose one word, it would be revolution — going from a time when chefs did not receive any respect to a chef receiving the Padma Shri. There is a great deal there that is genuinely exciting," Kapoor said. He noted the dramatic evolution of the culinary landscape since he entered the profession.
Evolution of Culinary Opportunities
"When I started, it was still a profession people didn't really talk about. It was unglamorous, not particularly well-paying and opportunities were limited. Today there are far more opportunities, but success is never easy. More opportunities only make it easier to begin," he reflected.
Impact of Social Media
With social media creating a new generation of food influencers and home cooks, Kapoor sees the shift as positive. "People are more interested in food than ever. They want to understand how it is made, how healthy it is and whether it is good for them. Food touches our lives every single day, so the democratization of food content can only be a good thing," he said.
According to Kapoor, expertise is no longer confined to professional kitchens. "Expertise takes many forms. It is not limited to a chef working in a hotel or restaurant. Sometimes expertise simply brings satisfaction, and that satisfaction has its own value."
Food Entertainment Popularity
Kapoor also weighed in on the growing popularity of food-based entertainment, from celebrity cooking shows to viral YouTube channels. "I have always maintained that India has three religions of entertainment — Bollywood, cricket and food. These are our three biggest forms of entertainment, and for years I spoke about this in my live shows. That belief eventually led me to launch my television channel, Food Food, where we produced shows like Filmy Dabba Party and many others that went well beyond recipes. These things take time, but I’m glad we have reached a point where food content can be so much more than a recipe," he said.
Farah Khan's Cooking Content
Asked about filmmaker Farah Khan Kunder's hugely popular cooking content, Kapoor revealed that he was among her earliest guests. "Of course I have watched Farah Khan’s show. In fact, I was one of her first guests. I have long known her and her gift for creating entertaining content, whatever the theme, and it comes from a deep understanding of Indian audiences. Today she is doing it with food, with travel, with interiors. Anyone who truly understands what viewers enjoy can build a show around almost any subject, and it will work."
Biopic Potential
As for the much-talked-about biopic, Kapoor believes the story is larger than one individual. "Biopics work when there is a human story and a sense of inspiration. There are many angles to explore. For now, we will simply wait and watch."
